BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - IndyCar Series driver Graham Rahal posed with an unusual partner today at Barber Motorsports Park, in promoting a new collaboration between the speedway and the Birmingham Zoo. The partnership gives visitors who purchase a Sunday or three-day ticket to the April 5-7 Honda Grand Prix of Alabama two free kids tickets to the Zoo with the purchase of an adult ticket until April 30.

Rahal shared the stage with Sarabi, a medium-sized African serval cat, to encourage race fans to also visit the Birmingham Zoo while in town. "I look forward to seeing the fans support the Birmingham Zoo, and I hope all the fans go out to the zoo to see the great work they are doing through their conservation efforts," Rahal said.

Rahal, driver of the No. 15 Midas/Big O Tires Honda for Rahal Letterman Hanigan Racing, grew up surrounded by animals and today supports a wide variety of animal organizations through his Graham Rahal Foundation. His godfather is Jack Hanna, world-famous animal activist and director emeritus of the Cleveland Zoo and Aquarium.

"Growing up, we had a white tiger named Raj, and animals in our home all the time," Rahal said. "My Mom and Jack went on African safaris together. And although we don't see Jack as much now, because he keeps so busy, we do keep in touch and I still have a great passion for animals."

Last season, Rahal initiated a fundraising effort with the Honda Indy 200 to support the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Africa exhibit. Encouraged by the positive response to that partnership, Rahal has expanded his desire to raise awareness for other zoo and aquarium conservation efforts by working with local facilities at Honda-sponsored events in 2013.

According to Rick Humprey, vice president of ZOOM Motorsports (the exclusive event promoter of Barber Motorsports Park), visitors to the races often want to be tourists in the race town.

"We attract a lot of visitors from outside the area, obviously, so we always have people ask us, What can we do while we're in town? We hope the fans in town from all over the United States will take their children to see the conservation efforts at one of Birmingham's gems," he said. "We are excited to partner with the Birmingham Zoo for this ticket offer."

The Birmingham Zoo, he said, is a natural fit with the race weekend. Located in Mountain Brook, the122-acre zoo attracts more than 500,000 visitors annually and is home to 800 animals of 200 different species.

Bill Foster, president and CEO of the Birmingham Zoo, said that he welcomes the opportunity to show race fans and visitors what Birmingham has to offer. He pointed specifically to National Geographic's recent naming of Birmingham as a "destination city" and the recognition by the website www.livability.com of Birmingham as one of the country's top ten Spring Break destinations.

"Birmingham has a lot of great assets, and we want race fans and visitors to know that," Foster said. "We want to encourage fans to come by the Zoo, and to promote Birmingham any way we can."

According to Rahal, the zoo is just one of many reasons that Birmingham is a great place for race fans to visit. "The food is great, the people are great, this track is great," Rahal said. "It's a really beautiful place."